Is bamboo flooring just as durable as other types of flooring?
The hardness of bamboo is very high (a bit higher than America Oak) so the floor lasts a very long time. The Moso floor has a thick top layer, so that the floor can be sanded a number of times over the years.
Is bamboo environmentally friendly? Are forests cut down?
Every year the parent bamboo plant makes several new stems that grow to maturity in a few months. Each stem needs 5 years to gain the necessary hardness. In a mature bamboo plantation the 5 year old stems can be harvested every year, without decreasing the size of the forest. You can find more information on this site under Bamboo > Environmental advantages.
Is the panda threatened by the cutting?
The panda bears (the giant panda and the small panda) live in the central mountain ranges of central China where the lower species of bamboo are the main food source. The panda lives mainly from the smaller bamboo species, far away from the Moso bamboo areas. So Moso is no danger to the panda!
What does MOSO mean?
The bamboo species Phyllostachys Pubescens is called Moso in Chinese. Through its fine structure this bamboo type is ultimately suited for decorative uses, such as flooring and furniture.
How fast does a bamboo plant grow?
Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth. The Moso bamboo species needs 5 years to grow to adult height and to be hard enough to be processed. Within a few months new shoots will have already grown to a height of 12 to 15 metres!
Where does bamboo grow?
There are more than 1500 species of bamboo worldwide. The Moso bamboo species appears in large areas of eastern China.
Are the bamboo knots visible in the MOSO bamboo products?
Bamboo is characterised by ring-like thickenings on the stem. Processed as floor or panel, these parts are visible as darker "knots". If the bamboo strips are processed horizontally (plain pressed), then these bamboo knots are clearly visible. When they are side pressed the knots are less obvious and the line patterning dominates.
For which applications is bamboo suitable?
The use of bamboo in the Asiatic countries is very extensive. In China many traditional products have been made going back as far as human memory; from kitchen utensils to musical instruments, from scaffolding to complete buildings. In the last few decades bamboo has also been used industrially (e.g. bamboo mats, panels and flooring). The most recent industrial use is the development of bamboo veneer. This means bamboo can be used for the furniture industry and interior design.
How should bamboo floors be finished?
In principle all common treatment products (for woods) can be used on bamboo. The choice of finish; lacquer, oil etc for bamboo floors is mainly determined by the requirements that people deed for durability, gloss, colour and maintenance.
How is a flat bamboo panel made from a hollow stem?
Strips are sawn from the round, hollow, skinned stem which are then pressed together to make a bamboo panel.
Which colours are available?
The natural colour of bamboo is white/yellow ‘natural’. It gets a brownish colour ‘caramel’ from being steamed/ treated.
